Cultural groups want internet to have 51% Canadian Content

[Pepperidge]

No, that wasn't a joke. The CRTC (Canada's FCC) recently made the big mistake of opening up the issue of regulating content on the internet, collecting public comments in regards to it. Of course media funding gluts SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authora and Music Publishers of Canada) and ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) jumped right on this. Apparently they think that, just like with everything else in life, Canadians are disadvantaged on the internet, and thus should be subject to massively restrictive cultural regulation on the net. As Michael Geist (http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/3565/125/) summarized it:

Many submissions call on the CRTC to continue the regulatory exemption for new media, including the wireless industry (http://support.crtc.gc.ca/applicant/docs.aspx?pn_ph_no=2008-11&call_id=74389&lang=E&defaultName=CWTA&replyonly=&addtInfo=&addtCmmt=&fnlSub=), Google (http://support.crtc.gc.ca/applicant/docs.aspx?pn_ph_no=2008-11&call_id=74398&lang=E&defaultName=Google%20Inc.&replyonly=&addtInfo=&addtCmmt=&fnlSub=), telecom industry, the NHL (http://support.crtc.gc.ca/applicant/docs.aspx?pn_ph_no=2008-11&call_id=74395&lang=E&defaultName=National%20Hockey%20League&replyonly=&addtInfo=&addtCmmt=&fnlSub=), and the broadcasters (http://support.crtc.gc.ca/applicant/docs.aspx?pn_ph_no=2008-11&call_id=74390&lang=E&defaultName=CTVglobemedia%20Inc.&replyonly=&addtInfo=&addtCmmt=&fnlSub=). On the other hand, ACTRA and SOCAN lead the charge for a new, highly regulated Internet. SOCAN's (http://support.crtc.gc.ca/applicant/docs.aspx?pn_ph_no=2008-11&call_id=74366&lang=E&defaultName=SOCAN&replyonly=&addtInfo=&addtCmmt=&fnlSub=) vision is astonishing, calling for at least 51 percent Canadian content requirements for Canadian commercial websites. ACTRA calls for full Cancon rules for new media and wants the CRTC to licence new media undertakings, arguing that "the Commission should also require that those who are making programs available from Canada, through the Internet or to mobile receiving devices, for viewing at a time and place chosen by the user be licensed." Note that ACTRA also believes that user generated content should regulated under the Broadcasting Act.

The scary thing is that these organizations have enough clout to persuade our luddite regulators that this is a good idea. Great Firewall of Canada, anyone?

[AlgeaX]

No, that wasn't a joke. The CRTC (Canada's FCC) recently made the big mistake of opening up the issue of regulating content on the internet, collecting public comments in regards to it. Of course media funding gluts SOCAN (Society of Composers, Authora and Music Publishers of Canada) and ACTRA (Alliance of Canadian Cinema, Television and Radio Artists) jumped right on this. Apparently they think that, just like with everything else in life, Canadians are disadvantaged on the internet, and thus should be subject to massively restrictive cultural regulation on the net. As Michael Geist (http://www.michaelgeist.ca/content/view/3565/125/) summarized it:



The scary thing is that these organizations have enough clout to persuade our luddite regulators that this is a good idea. Great Firewall of Canada, anyone?

It'll never fly, the internet is pretty much impossible to regulate. If the F.B.I., the Church of Scientology and Kim Jong-il couldn't do it, then no one can.

[stephane dumas]

As we don't have enough of this *bleep*, sorry but I need to vent off. These cultural groups are completely out of touch. :mad:

[Czar Gato]

It'll never fly, the internet is pretty much impossible to regulate. If the F.B.I., the Church of Scientology and Kim Jong-il couldn't do it, then no one can.
The mainland Chinese government has been able to regulate internet access in their country, so yes- it is possible. I doubt this'll fly in a country like Canada, though.

[.bg]

They're not regulating access, they are trying to encourage Canadians to produce more content for the Internet; which isn't really a bad idea.

[Anyone00]

Well beaver are often associated with Canada: so if you count everything with a beaver in it the Internet is already up to snuff.

[Rook]

I dont think a free country like Canada will likely buy in to this...nonsense?

They're not regulating access, they are trying to encourage Canadians to produce more content for the Internet; which isn't really a bad idea.

Why dont they just let it naturally build up like any American-based site? It's not like the Winternet 20XX is going anywhere.

[.bg]

The USA and Asia pretty much dominate the Internet scene, leaving smaller countries like Canada out in the cold (no pun intended).

I don't see anything wrong with asking people to put more content on the web. If used properly, using web space can be a good public service.

[Lavenderpaw]

Bring it on, Web Mounties! I'll fight you with my sword of American content for the right to keep my other 49 % of the internet on U.S. data...


Puh-lease. How weird can people get?:shrug:

[Anyone00]

Hey,I've already done my part. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yDO1ZuAhxWU)

[Squall]

The USA and Asia pretty much dominate the Internet scene, leaving smaller countries like Canada out in the cold (no pun intended).

When did the volume of Internet content become a pissing contest? What would be the point of one country saying "My Internet is bigger than yours"? As long as Canadians are happy with their corner of the Internet, and have free access to the rest of the Internet, what's the problem?

I don't see anything wrong with asking people to put more content on the web. If used properly, using web space can be a good public service.

Well, if that all it's about, then me neither. The Canadian government can encourage the creation of content as much as they want, and even create their own; however, if they started forcing private citizens to create content no one really wants, or censoring content not deemed "good for Canada" through firewalls, that it would become a problem.